NEWPORT NEWS (WINA) – The mother of the Newport News 1st-grader who shot his teacher in the classroom in January now faces federal gun charges. The government is charging Deja Taylor in Newport News federal court with one count “unlawful user of a controlled substance in possession of a firearm”, and one count of making a false statement during the purchase of a firearm. The accusation is that not only did she purchase the 9mm semiautomatic handgun while an illegal user of marijuana, she signed a false statement she gave the gun shop in regard to lawful purchase when she purchased it.
Taylor already faces state charges of felony child neglect and a misdemeanor count of leaving a firearm that could endanger a child. She has scheduled August 15 trial on those charges.